Abstract
The effects of the defibrinating enzymes, anorod and batroxobin, on blood coagulation and rheology are reviewed. Decrease in plasma viscosity lowers high-shear blood viscosity, while decrease in red cell aggregation reduces low-shear blood viscosity to a greater extent. Theoretically therefore these agents may be beneficial in low-flow states. Their effects on blood flow and on clinical events in the coronary, cerebral, retinal, renal and lower limb circulations are reviewed. There is some evidence that during acute defibrination microcirculatory flow is disturbed, and acute clinical deterioration has been observed. However chronic defibrination has been shown to improve blood flow and to prevent thrombosis.
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